cluck: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal (for extended meanings); Neutral (for literal meaning).
Quick answer
What does “cluck” mean?
The short, low sound made by a hen.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The short, low sound made by a hen.
1. To make the sound of a hen. 2. (Informal, disapproving) To express fussy concern, disapproval, or sympathy by making a similar sound with the tongue, often "clucking one's tongue". 3. (Informal, rare) A foolish or naive person.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The idiom "cluck around" (to fuss or behave inefficiently) is slightly more common in US informal speech.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English for the figurative verb sense (e.g., "she clucked in disapproval").
Grammar
How to Use “cluck” in a Sentence
[Subject] clucks.[Subject] clucks [Adverb].[Subject] clucks [Prepositional Phrase].[Subject] clucks [Direct Object: tongue].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cluck” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The hens began to cluck noisily in the coop.
- My aunt would just cluck her tongue and say we needed more vegetables.
American English
- You could hear a chicken cluck from the neighbour's yard.
- He clucked in disapproval when he saw the messy room.
adjective
British English
- He gave a clucking sound of irritation.
- There was a clucking noise from the barn.
American English
- She has a clucking way of showing concern.
- The clucking hens were getting on his nerves.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically: "The managers just clucked over the report without making a decision."
Academic
Extremely rare except in specific fields like animal behaviour studies.
Everyday
Common for the literal chicken sound. Common for figurative expression of fussy disapproval or sympathy.
Technical
Used in ornithology and animal husbandry to describe a specific vocalisation of poultry.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cluck”
- Confusing 'cluck' (hen sound) with 'clack' (sharp striking sound).
- Using it in overly formal contexts for the figurative meaning.
- Misspelling as 'cluk'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. While other birds like pheasants or quail might make similar sounds, 'cluck' is most strongly associated with hens and domestic fowl.
Yes, but it's informal and dated. Calling someone 'a cluck' means you think they are silly, foolish, or naive.
They are very similar when expressing disapproval. 'Cluck' often implies a more vocal, slightly softer sound and can carry a nuance of fussy concern, not just disapproval. 'Tut/tsk' is sharper and more purely critical.
It is mildly derogatory when used to describe a person's behaviour ("clucking over details") or directly as a noun ("he's a cluck"). It suggests inefficiency, fussiness, or simple-mindedness.
The short, low sound made by a hen.
Cluck is usually informal (for extended meanings); neutral (for literal meaning). in register.
Cluck: in British English it is pronounced /klʌk/, and in American English it is pronounced /klʌk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cluck like a mother hen (to fuss over someone)”
- “a real cluck (a foolish person)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound: CL-U-CK. It sounds like the short, sharp noise a chicken makes.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUND FOR BEHAVIOUR (The sound of a fussy hen represents fussy, disapproving human behaviour).
Practice
Quiz
In informal American English, calling someone 'a cluck' implies they are: